New member interview – Hellenic Ports Association: Promoting the Greek maritime sector

Greek Port Authorities and 13 of the most prominent port funds. The Hellenic Ports Association aims to address the main challenges faced by the international port industry in Greece, namely digital transformation, green transition with the use of environmentally friendly practices and the use of renewable energy sources and major port infrastructure construction, expansion, and improvement. Interview with Demetrios Iatrides, General Manager. Hellenic Ports Association became a member of the AIVP in 2023. “In a few words” AIVP - The Hellenic Ports Association is a unique network organization and very relevant in Greece. Can you please introduce yourself and your mission to the AIVP? It is a great honor and pleasure for our Association, the Hellenic Ports Association to join AIVP, the International Association of Cities and Ports, an outstanding network of ports and cities dedicated to the development and strengthening of ties between its distinguished members at a global level. Our Association, the Hellenic Ports Association, comprises of all 13 Greek Port Authorities, both those under state control and the ones under private investor majority, and 13 prominent Port Funds. The Port Authorities of Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Herakleio, Igoumenitsa, Corfu, Patra, Volos, Elefsina, Lavrio, Rafina, Kavala, Evoia and Alexandroupoli are present in our organization. Among our Port Fund members we find Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Kos, Katakolo, Ios, Lesvos, Tinos, Syros, Milos, Chania, Rethymno Crete and Skiathos. We represent the strategically important and actively booming Greek Port industry at all levels and fora, including the European Sea Ports Organization where we are long-time committed members, but also the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) and the Association of Mediterranean Ports (MedPorts) , 2 organizations we also acceded in the past few months, clearly boosting our international presence and underlining our extraversion. It is a fact that we regularly contribute and participate in the formulation of policy proposals and legislative initiatives in the Greek Parliament. But very importantly, our Association promotes and supports Hellenic port positions at European and international level, always targeting to enhance economic growth and job creation with a special focus to…